Kmart locks cheap makeup behind glass to fight retail theft
Kmart is testing locked glass cabinets for budget beauty items across Sydney, Melbourne and Victorian stores.
Kmart has joined Coles, Woolworths, Big W and Chemist Warehouse in putting cosmetics behind locked cabinets as retail theft increases. The trial is underway at stores including Broadway in Sydney and Broadmeadows in Victoria.
Budget brands like e.l.f. are displayed behind automated glass doors.
Items cost as low as $5. Shoppers press a button to request staff help.
The cabinet lights up and unlocks electronically. A Kmart spokesperson confirmed the move is designed to fight rising retail theft while keeping products visible.
The system aims to maintain an attractive display while securing items that have become frequent theft targets. Other chains have added security tags, CCTV and locked cases to their beauty aisles.
Supermarkets now remove high-value razors and fragrances from open shelves. They require staff to unlock items on request.
- As low as $5
- Price point
- e.l.f., OXX Beauty, SheGlam, BYS
- Brands secured
- Automated glass doors with button request
- System type
Why it mattersRetail theft is so widespread that even cheap items now need security measures. This shows how the problem affects store operations and customer experience across chains.
AustraliaAustralian shoppers visiting Kmart, Coles, Woolworths and Chemist Warehouse will increasingly need staff help to access cheap makeup and grooming products if the locked-cabinet trend spreads.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 d ago
